Education

K - 12

There are "smart zones" for business development in Muskegon, and the key centers of developing intelligence nurture minds each day in the region's classrooms. Area K-12 students attend schools administered by Muskegon County's well-regarded public schools or one of the several private schools, public charter academies or home schools. Solid core curriculums are complemented with extra-curricular programs ranging from competitive sports to educational clubs. Area districts offer preschool and before- and after-school programs, as well as adult education. To learn more about our public school system, visit: www.choosepublicschools.com

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

Muskegon area high school graduates continuing their education choose from several nearby post-secondary institutions.Baker College offers two- and four-year degrees, an MBA program and world-renowned Culinary Institute of Michigan. Muskegon Community College offers two-year associate's degrees and, at its Stevenson Center for Higher Education, four-year degrees from Ferris State, Western Michigan and Grand Valley State Universities.

Also within the 40-miles of West Michigan are the 15 different colleges and universities!

Setting Muskegon apart from other communities is it's commitment to cultivate a talented workforce. Leading the way to producing talented workers in Michigan are area colleges who work with local businesses to prepare students for jobs that are here and available in the community. Muskegon Opportunity which is a grassroots initiative working to create a college-going culture in Muskegon County with an expectation that students graduating from a school district within the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) boundaries will be prepared to start, stay and succeed in post-secondary education.

The MAISD Muskegon Area Career Tech Center provides career and technical education to high school juniors and seniors in 20 career programs ranging from computer network administration to culinary arts.

Young professionals are also making a name for themself in Muskegon through young professional groups, companies who embrace young leaders and a community who thrives on young energy!

LIFE LONG LEARNING

Joined by a desire for new knowledge, active minds from every generation come together in Muskegon for lifelong learning. Our public libraries are the local learning setting – whether it is of a formal or informal kind. The Muskegon Area District Library with 10 locations throughout the county, and the historic Hackley Public Library with the global resources of information and knowledge, are both playing a role of fundamental importance in the development of our system of lifelong learning.

Lifelong learning through Leadership

The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce and Muskegon Community College, have partnered to bring a diverse group of professionals together in a community-awareness program committed to enhancing and connecting leaders from business, non-profit and government. Muskegon In Focus will provide numerous experiences that give a behind-the-scenes look at opportunities to “make a difference”. For regional leadership, Leadership West Michigan provides its participants with some or all of the following: knowledge of the Western Michigan region and connections, member networking, leadership skills, systems thinking skills, dialogue skills, understanding of diversity, and regional trusteeship.